By V. Lloyd Simpson, Contributor
Miller
WHEN DISCORD is seemingly at its highest level of intensity and the debate associated with it appears to be making little progress, it is frequently the time that solutions may just be around the corner.
Hence, today's article deals with one or two troubling happenings and sob stories by the nation's horseracing sport and industry, with a view to bringing racing fans and the general public up to date.
Firstly a significant number of racing fans are saying it is time that Charlie Hussey, that indefatigable wielder of the pigskin, be nationally acknowledged by means of honour of some sort beyond mention in the year books of the Jamaica Racing Commission.
He recently joined the '1000 Winners Club' to move the count of members from three to four and in doing so he is moving steadfastly to the 2000 winners mark in local and foreign racing taken compositely.
He is also a four-time winner of championship honours is getting on in years with the same commitment to the profession, has taught at the jockeys school and is a role model to younger colleagues.
Hence, he thoroughly deserves the acclaim.
The pending departure of president and chief executive officer of Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), Rose Campbell from the local racing scene will have left a contribution that will be hard for a successor to emulate in the years ahead.
Regarding the formidable assignment that her departure will have left the ringmakers to do, some voices, including myself, are wondering why the front running candidate should not be Denzil Miller (Jnr.) the current Racing Secretary.
Some time ago when the hostility in horseracing had been a major debate, he confided in me that what the various interest groups, acting in unity, should first do, was to take meaningful steps to ensure that the political directorate was educated on the nuances of the sport and industry. He had seemingly learnt his lessons well, while getting training abroad.
Fans are avidly waiting to see what comes of the plan for horseracing which is now before Minister of State, Fitz Jackson for implementation. The longer the delay in activating the decision-making process in the matter, the longer will the sob stories of the product continue.
In the forgoing context, it is highly valuable to make the point that the affluent erstwhile former chairman of the CTL Board Howard Hamilton must have made his peace with the other originators of the plan. His clout in general, his experience gained from observing conduct of operations overseas at various tracks and his commendable forthright and communicative style are bound to make a big difference to success of the plan as the result of good counsel. More anon.
